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Golden Key Awards
Every year the Utah’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and their partners honor people and businesses with the Golden Key Award. It recognizes those who have helped promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law on July 26, 1990, is one of America’s most comprehensive pieces of civil rights legislation. Modeled after the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the ADA is an “equal opportunity” law for people with disabilities.
In honor of the ADA, the Utah’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and Disability:IN Utah, Utah's Business Leadership Network, invites community members to nominate local businesses that have gone above and beyond in their recruiting, hiring, retaining and promoting of individuals with disabilities.
2026 Golden Key Awards
The Golden Key Awards are held in conjunction with the Disability:IN Utah Summit at the Zions Bancorporation’s Midvale Technology Campus. Listen as Governor Spenser Cox shares how Utah is actively supporting hiring individuals with disabilities.
Nominations are now closed
Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the 2026 Golden Key Awards.
The awards will be presented during the Disability Utah Summit on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Zions Technology Center in Midvale, Utah.
Award Categories
- Provider of the Year – Recognizing exceptional service and support for individuals with disabilities.
- Community Partner of the Year – Recognizing outstanding partnership and support for individuals with disabilities.
- Freedom Award – Recognizing excellence in hiring and retaining veterans with disabilities.
- ACE Award – Recognizing an individual who demonstrates outstanding advocacy for individuals with disabilities.
- Business of the Year – Recognizing businesses committed to hiring, retaining and supporting employees with disabilities. Small, Medium and Large categories.
- ASAP Achievement Award – Recognizing a state agency for outstanding use of the Alternative State Application Process.
2026 Winners
- Drew Johnson, Provider of the Year
- Steve Sprague, Community Partner of the Year
- Newman Construction, Freedom Award
- Christe Youman, ACE Award
- Tooele Hometown Tire and Auto, Small Employer of the Year
- Mauser Packaging Solutions, Medium Employer of the Year
- Lucky, Large Employer of the Year
- Department of Environmental Quality, ASAP Achievement Award
Past Winners
Contact
Leah Lobato, Coordinator
801-887-9538
leahlobato@utah.gov
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